Class Specifications 2010
***AQHA rules will be followed. However, each show manager shall specify to their judges that horses will be shown as their breed. Each show manager should send a copy of our rules to their judges far enough in advance so as the judges will have time to familiarize themselves with the rules.
**Memo to show managers – show managers should be sure to clarify to their judges the cowboy pleasure class is judged as a pleasure class – example leads are to count. It is imperative for a judge to know how a horse should move; example – the difference in movement of the English pleasure horse compared to the Western pleasure horse.
For pattern classes all horses will enter the arena at the same time. For all other classes when the horses line up for placing the next class needs to enter the arena. This will help speed up the show as there are a lot of classes to go through in a day.
Halter Classes – Horses shall be shown as their breed. Halter horses may be shown by other members of EMHSC.
Yearling Longe Line Class (these rules were taken partially from the rules of NSBA – National Snaffle Bit Assoc. ).
The purpose of the class is to reward:
A) quality of movement
B) conformation
C) trainability
Pony Class – open to all horses 14.0 hands and under.
Green Horse – Horse of any age in 1st year of showing. Horses who qualify are considered "Green" for the full competition year. May be shown two handed with a non-shanked snaffle or bosal hackamore.
Novice Rider – Rider of any age not to have won three first place awards in any open or breed association show or have won a year-end novice award in that class. Riders who qualify are considered "Novice" for the full competition year per event.
Western Pleasure – To be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope both ways of the ring on a reasonable loose rein without undue restraint. To be judged on performance 60%, conformation 30% and appearance 10%. Extended gaits may be asked for upon judge's request. Maximum credit should be given to the flowing, balanced, and willing horse that gives the appearance of being fit and a pleasure to ride. Horses will be penalized for excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum (resulting in an animated and/or artificial gait at the lope); overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical; head carried too low (such that the tip of the ear is below the withers).
Men's Cowboy Pleasure – This is open to males of all ages. It is to be judged the same as the western pleasure class with the same criteria and the same emphasis on correct leads. The only difference is it is open only to males.
Western Equitation – Riders will be judged on seat, hands, ability to control and show horse and suitability of horse to rider. Horses must be ridden one handed with a standard western bit. Patterns for this class will be posted or announced.
English Pleasure – To be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Rider may be dressed in hunter or saddle seat attire. To be judged on performance 60%, conformation 30% and appearance 10%. The quality of the movement and the consistency of the gaits is a major consideration. Extended gaits may be asked for upon judge's request. Horses will be penalized for excessive slowness in any gait, loss of forward momentum; overflexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical; head carried too low (such that poll is below the withers).
English Equitation – Rider may be dressed in hunter or saddle seat attire. Riders will be judged on seat, hands, ability to control and show horse and suitability of horse to rider.
Gaited Horse – The term gaited horse has come to mean horses that boast gaits other than the walk, trot, and canter.
Hunter Hack - This class is suggested for experienced jumpers only. The hunter hack horse should move in the same style as a working hunter. The class will be judged on style over jumps, even hunting pace, flat work, manners and way of going. The poll should be level with, or slightly above the withers, to allow proper impulsion behind. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance. Helmets are mandatory. Two jumps are required with the maximum height being 29 inches. If jumps are set on a line they are recommended to be in increments of 12 feet but adjusted to no less than two strides. A ground line is recommended for each jump. Horses are then to be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring with light contact. At the discretion of the judge, contestants may be asked to hand gallop, pull up or back and stand quietly following the last fence. Placing shall be determined by allowing a minimum of 70% for individual jumps and a maximum of 30% for work on the flat.
Trail – Horses are required to work over and through obstacles. Course to include a jog-trot and lope of suitable duration to determine the way of going. Rail work shall be not required. Entry will be evaluated on responsiveness, willingness and general attitude. Riders hands shall be clear of horse to avoid cueing. Hand may be changed on the reins or lead to negotiate an obstacle.
A) Senior Horse – must be ridden one handed with a standard western bit.
B) Junior Horse – may be ridden two handed with a bosal hackamore or non-shanked snaffle.
One hand must be used if ridden with a shanked bit.
C) Yearling Trail – yearlings are to be shown in a halter.
Course to include a minimum of six obstacles and a maximum of eight obstacles. Examples of obstacles which may be required are:
a. Negotiating gate
b. Carrying objects from one part of arena to another
c. Riding through water hazard/ditch or over simulated brush
d. Riding over at least four logs/poles
e. Crossing a bridge
f. Backing through obstacles
g. Sidepassing
h. Serpentine obstacles at walk or jog
i. Remove and replace materials from mailbox
j. Put on and remove slicker
k. Riding into any obstacle consisting of four logs/poles laid in a square,
executing a turn and exiting square
l. Performing over any reasonable conditions encountered along the trail.
Ground ties are not permitted – neither are logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits them to roll. For a list of items not allowed refer to the AQHA handbook. The judge shall walk the course and has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner. The judge may remove or change any obstacle he deems unsafe or non-negotiable. If at any time a trail obstacle is deemed to be unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired or removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired and horses have completed the course, the score for that obstacle shall be deducted from all previous works for that class.
Pleasure Driving – Judged 80% on the horse's performance and suitability for assuring a pleasurable drive, with a maximum of 20% on condition and conformation. No extended hoofs, heavy shoes or toe weights allowed. Horses shall enter the ring in the same direction. Each horse shall be exhibited in both directions of the show ring. At the direction of the ring steward, such change of direction shall be accomplished by the horses crossing the show ring while walking only. Each horse shall also be required to back easily and straight and stand quietly. No exhibitor shall drive a horse while standing in the cart, nor shall any horse be unbridled or unattended while hooked to a cart.
Showmanship Class – 9 Years & Younger and Special Circumstances – This will be a regular showmanship class but open only to youth 9 years of age or younger or someone with special circumstances which make it hard for them to compete in a regular showmanship class. Each contestant may have a handler if they wish to do so.
Costume Class – This is not a working class. It will be judged only on suitability of horse to rider and costume. Costumes need not be elaborate. All horses, ponies, and handlers of all ages and all levels are eligible. Handlers are allowed. Examples might be clown/circus horse, cowboy, native american, packer, trapper, hunter jumper, Arabian costumes, etc.
Free Style Reining – Exhibitor must give the judge his/her pattern before beginning the ride. Exhibitor must furnish own props – music, etc. Maneuvers may be performed in any order but all must be performed. Exhibitors entered in both reining – all ages and free style reining shall go first in the reining – all ages class so as to have time to get ready for the free style reining class.
These are taken from the General Rules of NRHA (couldn't find any free style reining rules from AQHA). Freestyle Reining provides an opportunity to use maneuvers creatively, and to expand them to music by means of choreography. Riders are encouraged to use musical scores which permit them to show the athletic ability of the horse in a crowd appealing way.
| Free Style Required maneuvers Will be defined as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the right |
| B | A minimum of 4 consecutive spins to the left | |
| C | A minimum of 3 stops | |
| D | A minimum of 1 lead change at the canter from right to left | |
| E | A minimum of 1 lead change at the canter from right to left | |
| 2 | Exhibitors will only be judged astride | |
| 3 | Exhibitors are allowed to use two hands (as well as one or no hands) and any bit approved by the NRHA Handbook, including snafflebits and bosals approved for use in the Snaffle Bit or Hackamore classes. | |
| 4 | Additional maneuvers such as rollbacks, backups, speed variations, and non-classical reining maneuvers such as half pass and side pass are appropriate in Freestyle and shall be given appropriate credit. Additional repetitions or required maneuvers are appropriate, but will only add or subtract from the existing scores already given for the required maneuvers, not as additional scores. |
|
| 5 | Equipment used in Freestyle must adhere to the following standards: | |
| A | All equipment must be non-abusive and humane based on NRHA Rules and Guidelines. | |
| B | Any equipment not specifically covered by or in conflict with standard equipment guidelines must be non-abusive to the horse. |
|
| 6 | Time limit. A maximum of 3½ minutes including any introductions. The time limit will be from the beginning of the music or from the beginning of the introduction (whichever is first) and will end with the music. |
|
| 7 | Costumes. Permitted but not required. Emphasis is placed on performing the reining maneuvers to music. | |
| 8 | Props. Permitted but at no time may hinder the judges' view of the horse. The use of props will not add to the score. |
Ranch Horse – Will be held in arena. Five of the nine obstacles to be used in any combination.
a. Ground tie
b. Open gate
c. Rope a dummy
d. drag something behind horse
e. Railwork – judge's option
f. slicker
g. dismount and mount
h. logs
i. load in trailer
j. cow work if cattle available – any type of cattle may be used – cows, steers, yearlings, calves
Flag Race – One flag will be used. The flag is to be picked up from a bucket on the first barrel and put into a bucket on the second barrel. The two barrels are to be set across from each other. Cannot touch horse with flag – to do so is disqualification.
Pee Wee Speed Events – Each individual show has the option of adjusting (shortening) the pattern. This would be to conserve time. Examples – remove last 2 poles in pole bending, shorten distance between barrels, use only one barrel and either put in or remove one flag in the flag race, etc.
